Climate for change on greenhouse gas emissions
AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE
10 April 2007
Auckland City Council creating the right climate for change on greenhouse gas emissions
Auckland City Council Deputy Mayor, Dr Bruce Hucker, says a programme adopted by council will help tackle issues raised in an international report on climate change.
"The just released report from the International Panel on Climate Change clearly demonstrates the impact that climate change will have on New Zealand and shows just how important reducing greenhouse gas emissions is for Aucklanders," says Dr Hucker.
"The council's sustainability programme aims to help tackle global warming by reducing the city's carbon footprint and encouraging greater sustainability. It programme represents a series of practical actions that the council can take to help deal with the challenge of climate change at a local level.
"The community expects us to provide leadership in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and provide a catalyst for wider action by the community at large," says Dr Hucker.
The programme represents a mix of activities underway or budgeted for, and either planned by the council or proposed by the Mayoral Task Force on Sustainable Development.
Actions in the programme include:
* employing a person to fast-track delivery of the council's corporate sustainability framework
* developing a programme to tackle climate change by working with communities and businesses to suggest practical ways to reduce the city's eco-footprint
* providing advice and expertise to businesses wishing to adopt cleaner production and other sustainability measures
* employing an eco-advisor to advise on green building and developments
* continuing work on the Communities for Climate Protection programme.
"Our aim in developing this programme is to help the council become carbon neutral and tackle climate change through a series of practical measures that contribute to making Auckland a truly sustainable city," says Dr Hucker.
Auckland City Council has identified additional funding of $600,000 a year in its forward planning on climate change issues.
ENDS